Small Business Development Center invites entrepreneurs to apply for leadership program

By Lynn Gosnell
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Institute for Economic Development

(Dec. 7, 2011) --The UTSA Small Business Development Center is accepting applications for the Building Business Excellence program, a unique business leadership program designed to propel established small- to mid-sized firms to new heights. The two-week program takes place daily, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Feb. 27-March 9, 2012, at the UTSA Downtown Campus. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 10.

This year, the UTSA Small Business Development Center has joined forces with Holt Development Services Inc. (a division of Holt CAT) and Ed Guerrero, C.P.A., to train and assist participants in adopting a values-based leadership (VBL) model.

"This is a great opportunity for small and mid-size firms to benefit from the VBL model that Holt CAT has used to grow to a billion dollar company," said Morrison Woods, director of the UTSA Small Business Development Center. The cost for the program is $2,995 per participant and includes instruction, materials, parking and meals.

Criteria for the program include being an owner or co-owner of a business that was established before Aug. 1, 2008, and has potential for high growth. Participants must be willing to share financial information that will remain confidential.

"The most important criteria," said Woods, "is that the business owner be committed to winning, willing to learn, open to change, and someone who makes and keeps commitments."

Building Business Excellence is an established program of the San Antonio Small Business Development Center. The BBE program has been operating since 2002 but has been updated to meet the changing business environment.

"The BBE program gave me great information and relationships that helped me make my business and the decisions regarding it better," said Mary Reilly-Magee, owner of Love to Swim and Tumble School. "Participating in the program validated what I was already doing as a leader and a business owner. I highly recommend the BBE program to any mid-level small business poised for growth."

Because the program is set up for maximum participation, only one company per industry is allowed.

The University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development is dedicated to creating jobs, growing businesses and fostering economic development. The institute's 11 centers and programs provide professional business advising, technical training, research, and strategic planning for entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders in San Antonio, the Texas-Mexico border area, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Come out and enjoy breakfast and beverages at the Official UTSA Tailgate in Albuquerque as our Roadrunners take on the New Mexico Lobos at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The official UTSA tailgate will be located in Fan Fest in the University Stadium Parking Lot, Stadium East.
University Stadium parking lot, Albuquerque, NM

Graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Business, College of Education and Human Development and the College of Public Policy will participate in the first commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

Graduates from the College of Engineering, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Sciences and University College will participate in the second commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

All UTSA students, faculty and staff are invited to march with UTSA in the 30th annual MLK March. There will be a FREE shuttle from the UTSA Main Campus. Pick up in front of the Convocation Center at 8:30 a.m. Depart from UTSA at 9 a.m. Buses return to UTSA at 1 p.m
Convocation Center, Main Campus

UTSA's Department of Music hosts Dr. David Huron from Ohio State University as part of the Donald Hodges lecture series. Huron is a Canadian arts and humanities distinguished professor at Ohio State University.
John Peace Library, UTSA Faculty Center, (JPL 4.04.22), Main Campus

The Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion annually hosts a Volunteer Opportunities Fair to allow students, faculty and staff to learn about volunteer and service-learning opportunities in the San Antonio area.
University Center, 1st floor corridor, Main Campus

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.